Evertale Toolbox

Act 11: The King of All Dragons

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 1: The Dragon Disaster

The sound of bootsteps in the darkness.
Two figures stand bathed in pale light...

Cyrus

This lab of yours is always so stuffy.
Ever thought about stepping outside?

???

I have a lot to do. Once everything is
finished, I promise I will. Now, then—

???

Traveler between worlds, Cyrus. Tell me
of your time in the Endless World.

Cyrus

Right away.

Cyrus

—And the world was saved. Not quite
how we planned it, of course.

???

I'm glad the corpse puppeteer was
destroyed, but that alone isn't enough.

???

...Another anomalous result...

Cyrus

Only because the Endless god was an
unusual one. The next one will surely—

???

No, Orcanix wasn't the problem.

???

Cyrus, have you ever heard of the
Butterfly Effect?

Cyrus

The wind caused by a butterfly flapping
its wings can become a storm, right?

???

Exactly. What threw my calculations off
wasn't Orcanix.

???

The actions and will of the people living in
that world, of those who had died...

???

They threw off my mechanical calculation.
A storm, born from human potential.

Cyrus

The potential of the human heart, eh.
You do love your weighty philosophies.

???

Maybe so, but the one actually making a
difference is him: the true hero, Finn.

???

He's the only reason our plan can hope
to succeed. It's a good thing he's reliable.

Cyrus

You can say that again...

???

Still, I would have preferred he not have
to use the Crest. You did tell him, right?

Cyrus

That the Crest would take his life if he
overused it? I did.

???

That's good, then. Don't tell him any
more, though. It could have consequences.

Cyrus

Haha. I'll keep that in mind.

???

...Now then, on to the main topic.
Our next target.

???

I think we should go after something
small, but a sure deal. No risk of time loss.

Cyrus

Something small...
Do you think that will be enough?

???

...It's tight. Very tight. But we can't put
more of a burden on him than we have.

Cyrus

We can. We have to. What we're up
against isn't going to wait patiently.

Cyrus

Do we have time to be lenient here?
Answer me truthfully.

???

......
Then what would you do, Cyrus?

Cyrus

Put him up against the Survivor—
The Winged Shadow.

???

You can't be serious. You know how
dangerous that beast is.

Cyrus

I do. But we don't have the luxury of
prudence anymore. You said so yourself.

???

......
Do you think he stands a chance?

???

He nearly died to Orcanix, and the
Survivor eclipses her in every way.

???

...It may be the strongest god currently
active. I don't know if Finn can handle it.

Cyrus

It's been Finn, Finn, constantly with you.
Are you growing fond of the boy?

???

......

???

...We act to protect all of existence. No
single life outweighs that.

???

That said, if we lose him, the entire plan
falls into irrecoverable shambles.

???

Rationally, it makes no sense to send him
to his death. That's all.

Cyrus

I see where you're coming from, but we
don't have a choice but to take that bet.

Cyrus

As you know, Bergaria is starting its push
into Rigland proper already.

Cyrus

Things are progressing much faster than
we had planned for.

Cyrus

The Emperor is in quite a hurry. He's even
using those hideous new weapons of his.

Cyrus

Rigland will fall to Bergaria in the near
future, mark my words.

Cyrus

And when that happens,
the Emperor will have what he wants...

Cyrus

What have you spent all these years for,
if not to stop him?

???

I know!
...I know.

???

The boy is almost family to you. Doesn't
it pain your heart to send him there?

Cyrus

My heart, huh...

Cyrus

That's exactly why he should go. I know
Rody would volunteer, no question.

Cyrus

I swear on my life I won't expose him to
any more danger than necessary.

???

...If you're prepared to go that far, then
we really must not have any other choice.

???

Then let's await his second awakening.
For our sake, and that of our world...

Cyrus

Don't worry. Even if we go all-in, I'll
make sure it's not the end for us.

???

Please don't bring up your bad habit of
betting on long shots, now of all times.

???

He's irreplaceable.
Do not let him die.

Cyrus

Leave it to me, comrade.

Finn

Aaaaaaaaaah!!

Finn

Ow...

Finn

Dropped out of the sky again... Is this
going to happen with every new world?

Finn

(I was fine last time because of Shiori, but
who knows what might have happened...)

Finn

Cyrus...he's not trying to kill me, is he?

Finn

...No, that's too much of a leap.

Finn

(But it's not out of nowhere. There's too
much that doesn't add up...)

Finn

(He keeps telling me to save these
worlds, but doesn't give me any info.)

Finn

I just can't tell what he's after.

Finn

(I'm sure I'll run into him again here.
When I do, I'll get some answers!)

Finn

...Anyway, I should focus on getting my
bearings.

Finn

Sand as far as the eye can see...

Finn

(...Something doesn't feel right, though.
I can't quite...)

Finn

Ah...there are no animal sounds or
anything. Maybe since it's a desert?

Finn

...This world may be dying, the same way
the last world was.

Finn

(I get the feeling a vast tragedy is
unfolding here...)

Finn

(I may come close to dying again, like
last time. But if I can make a difference...)

Finn

If people are reaching out for help, it's
my duty to help. Right, Rizette...?

???

"Rise thee above the Undead God."

Finn

Just what was that voice I heard?

Finn

...It got dark all of a sudden.

Finn

W-what is that!?

Finn

(There's a huge flock of something in the
sky! Are those...dragons?)

???

Gyaaaaaah!

???

Help! Help meeee!

Finn

(Screams! Are they being attacked by
the dragons?)

[S-Mission 11-1-1]

Optional

[Mission 11-1-1]

[Mission 11-1-2]

Nereia Resident

H-help me...! Please...!
Nooooo!

Dragon

Grrrrraaaaargh!

Nereia Resident

Waaaaaah!

Finn

Wha...

Before Finn's eyes, still-living, charred
civilians are set upon by dragons.

The stench of burning meat fills his nose
as he looks upon a vision from Hell.

Finn

(People are being...eaten alive...!?
What is this world!?)

Finn

...!
I have to help them!

Nereia Resident

Mama...mamaaaaa!

Nereia Resident

Run! Run away!
They'll eat you!!

Nereia Resident

Run where!?
There's nowhere left! It's over!

Nereia Resident

I can't do this anymore...!!

Dragon

Grrrrraaaaargh!

Nereia Resident

T-they're here!!

Nereia Resident

It's going to kill us!!

Finn

(There are still people over there!
I can at least save them...!)

Dragon

Grrrrrgh...!

Finn

(It's trying to block me!)

Finn

Out of my waaaay!

Dragon

Grrrrrgh!

Finn

(My attack bounced off!
This dragon's no ordinary monster!)

Nereia Resident

Gyaaaah! H-help meeeee!

Dragon

Graaaaaaaagh!

Finn

(Not even its vitals are vulnerable.
My sword just bounces off!)

Finn

(Maybe if I could get closer, I could try
something...but it's too high up.)

Finn

...

Finn

(At this rate, I can't do anything but
watch as these people get eaten.)

Finn

(I have to use the Gold Crest!
But if I use it...)

Cyrus

"—That great power comes with a price.
Using it will eventually drain your life."

Cyrus

"If you don't want to croak before your
time, think carefully about using it."

Finn

(But there are people crying out for help!
I can't just sit back and save myself!)

Finn

(But...if I die here, then I'll never make
it back.)

Finn

(The others would never know what
happened to me...)

Dragon

Grraaaaaagh!

Finn

(Damn it! It came from behind!?)

???

Listen to this, you lizard!

..........

Dragon

Ggrgrh... graaah...!

Finn

What?

Finn

(The dragons flew away!? But I didn't
use the crest...what happened?)

Finn

I can worry about that later! I need to
check on the survivors!

Finn

Someone must have made it out! Please...
Please, let someone have made it!

Finn

Does anyone need help!? The dragons
are gone! Someone, please answer me!

Finn

Damn...
Damn it!

Finn

(All of them were torn apart...
Even the children.)

Finn

If I had used my Crest sooner...
Damn it...!

???

You...

Finn

(That voice...the person from before!)

???

T-this is not a dream, right? No, it could
not be. But here you are...

Finn

Do you know me...?

???

Of course I know you.
Do you...not know me?

Finn

(Her voice does sound familiar. But she
looks so different from the one I know.)

Finn

I...don't think so.

???

You do not? Then you must simply be a
lookalike...no, you look too much alike.

???

But...no. Perhaps you were treated
somewhere? Saved by someone?

???

Forgive me if I am wrong, but is your
name...Finn?

Finn

Um...yeah.
That's me, but—

???

I knew it! You truly are him!
You survived, then!

Finn

(I just can't place her.
Who could she be?)

Finn

I'm sorry. Who are you?

Callen

I am Callen! Have you truly forgotten?

Finn

C-Callen!?
But you look...

Callen

Mm, perhaps your memories have been
fragmented. I would not be surprised...

Finn

(This is this world's Callen? She looks so
different from the one I know!)

Finn

(Some people in the last world looked a
little different, but not this much...)

Finn

(Well, I guess Rizette and Astrid being
undead is pretty different, actually.)

Finn

(Still, Callen was just a little girl before.
But here she's an adult.)

Callen

Ah, now is not the time for that.
We must get out of here!

Finn

Get out of here!? But there might be
survivors left!

Callen

Do not be foolish! You know as well as I
that dragons do not leave survivors.

Callen

Look! The dragons have left this place.
That means there are no humans left.

Callen

The only creatures left here are the
dragons that will try to eat us.

Callen

They are shaken right now, but they will
return, and when they do, we will die!

Finn

Then everyone here is...

Callen

Yes. All of them are dead.
There is not a single survivor.

Finn

But that's...

Callen

There will be time for moping later! For
now, we must keep ourselves alive.

Callen

Do you hear me, Finn!

Finn

...

Finn

...Alright.
You're right.

Callen

Good. If we mourned every loss, we would
soon run out of tears to cry, after all...

Callen

Quickly, to my lab. We will be safe there.

Finn

(Tragedy has become commonplace here,
just like under Orcanix...)

Finn

(But there must be something I can do.
Otherwise, I wouldn't be here!)

[S-Mission 11-1-2]

Optional

[Mission 11-1-3]

[Mission 11-1-4]

Finn

(So this is Callen's lab in this world. I'd
pictured something a bit more spacious.)

Finn

I didn't think it would be at the literal
bottom of a well...

Callen

I was shaken before, but now that I look
at you more closely, this does not add up.

Callen

I know what I saw, and there is simply
no way you survived what happened.

Callen

...There is simply no way.

Callen

I will be blunt. Why do you wear Finn's
face and his voice? Who or what are you?

Finn

(What should I say? This is Callen...she'll
see through anything I make up.)

Finn

You may not believe me, but I'm not the
Finn you know. I'm from another world.

Callen

...What!?

Callen

Another world!? You say you came from
another world entirely?

Finn

That's right. I'm not the Finn from
this version of Erden.

Callen

An alternate worldline... I must say, I
did not expect that to be your answer.

Finn

Do you not believe me?

Callen

Mm...no, I do. It is more plausible than
most of the other explanations.

Callen

At least you did not claim to be his ghost.
Still...another world...

Callen

I did read treatises on the concept when I
lived in the Castle, but it was mere theory.

Callen

I suppose that theory has been
confirmed now. In any case...

Callen

The only one I know who would fight a
dragon to save a stranger is Finn.

Callen

So, nice to meet you, I suppose, Finn from
another world. I am Callen.

Callen

...That is too long. May I simply call you
Finn, then?

Finn

Please do. Nice to meet you...I guess is
the right thing to say here.

Callen

...You really are so like him, in bearing
as well as voice, and even appearance.

Finn

Well, we're both Finn, after all.

Callen

That is certainly something he would
say...

Callen

Sigh. A parallel worlder...

Callen

I must ask you this. Why did you come
to this world?

Finn

Why? Well...

Callen

If your answer is satisfactory, then I will
trust the rest of your story uncritically.

Finn

I'm here to save the people suffering
under the rule of an evil god.

Callen

An evil god, you say.
Do you mean the dragons of this world?

Finn

Yeah, most likely. My original world was
invaded by a god from another, you see.

Finn

I first went to that world to defeat her,
and stop the invasion. Then I came here.

Finn

There are other worlds suffering like mine.
If I can help the people there, I want to.

Callen

Wait a minute! You claim you defeated
a god?

Callen

...How? Gods are immortal, untouchable.
Like the dragons, they cannot be harmed.

Callen

At least, so say the writings I have seen
on the subject.

Callen

Eternal, unchanging, and beyond the
reach of mortals...so how did you do it?

Finn

With this: the god-killing blade,
Endbringer.

Callen

God-killing blade...
May I see it?

Callen

Hmm. So light...and fiendishly sharp.
I sense faint magic in it, as well.

Callen

If this blade can kill dragons, then maybe
we can develop others like it...

Finn

Don't hold it for too long. Its magic can
have an effect on your mind.

Callen

I am a scientist. I sold my soul long ago.
So let me have just a while longer!

Finn

No, I'm taking it back now.
You can look again some other time.

Callen

Bah!

Finn

(She might get taken over by the blade,
like Last Bastion's Ludmilla was.)

Finn

(It's probably best I don't let anyone
touch it for too long.)

Callen

I will have another look at it sometime!
One way or another. Hee hee. ♪

Finn

Is it really that exciting?

Callen

Of course it is! You are living proof that it
is, in fact, possible to kill the unkillable—

Callen

That my research was correct! All those
fools who doubted me were wrong! Hah!

Finn

(Okay, now she seems more like the
Callen I know...or a bit worse.)

Finn

I wanted to ask...what happened to the
Finn from this world? Is he...

Callen

Ah...yes. Several days ago, he was...
He was eaten. By a dragon.

Finn

That explains why you were so shocked
when you saw me.

Callen

Well, of course I was. I had just seen
you... ahem. Not you.

Callen

I had just seen him get torn to shreds by
a dragon in front of me only days ago.

Finn

Right in front of you...

Callen

Several days ago, the Knights led a
rescue operation from a stricken village.

Finn

The Knights!?
They exist in this world, too?

Callen

Yes, the Protector Knights. Several dozen
people protecting others from the dragons.

Callen

I was not one of them, but I was well
acquainted with many of them.

Finn

You're not a member of the Knights?

Callen

I am a researcher, not a warrior. And
not a medic, either.

Callen

...In truth, the battle where they perished
was a strike back against the dragons.

Finn

A strike back?

Callen

Yes. Ordinarily, the Knights focused only
on buying time to evacuate civilians.

Callen

But they apparently thought that that
was not enough to truly save people.

Callen

They thought to give courage to the
survivors by fighting head-on.

Callen

The key to this plan was my research.
I was the one who suggested it, in fact.

Callen

With my research, they could defeat the
dragons, I told them...

Callen

...I thought it would work. I did not
realize what I was leading them into.

Callen

Leave it to me, Finn! I promise you,
this will allow us to defeat them!

Protector Finn

Alright. We're counting on you!

Callen

This marks the moment that the name
Callen is engraved into history!

Callen

———!!!

Dragon

Ggrr...rrgh...

Callen

(Hoho! The dragons are weakening!
Take that, all those who mocked me!)

Protector Finn

Great work, Callen!
That's amazing!

Protector Knight

I've never seen the dragons look so weak!

Protector Knight

We should be able to—

Dragon

Gggrrh... graaaaaar!

Protector Knight

W-wait, it's...it's getting back up!?

Dragon

Graaaaaaaagh!!!

Protector Knight

R-run! Run! The dragons are back on
their feet!

Callen

What!? That is impossible! My
calculations were accurate! How—

Callen

(Unless...are the dragons stronger now
than in the past? That must be it...!)

Protector Finn

Abort the mission! We need to get out of—

Protector Knight

Finn! There's a village nearby here. If we
run, the dragons will attack it!

Protector Finn

Wha...

Protector Finn

...We have no choice but to fight, then!

Protector Knight

We comrades live and die as one. And 'tis
not yet decided that we will fall here!

Protector Knight

Yeah. I'll stay by your side, Finn.
I'm sure everyone else feels the same.

Protector Knight

Our duty isn't over, Knights.
This is what we've trained for!

Protector Finn

...Yeah. You're right.
The mission has to go on.

Protector Finn

Callen, bring a detachment with you to
the village and evacuate them!

Callen

What!? But—!

Protector Finn

You know more about the dragons than
anyone. We can't afford to lose you.

Callen

But—! This is my mistake! I was naive!

Callen

My research failed. Why must you all pay
for my failure with your lives!?

Protector Finn

It didn't fail. Someday, your research will
save this world. That's what I believe!

Protector Finn

Keep working on it, Callen.
For our sake, and everyone's.

Protector Finn

Now, you really have to go!
We'll buy you and the villagers time!

Callen

...Fine. I will go.
You all...do not dare to die...!

Protector Finn

Yeah. Keep those people safe, Callen!

Protector Finn

With me, everyone! For Erden!
Haaaaaaaaa!!

Callen

Their weapons and magic were useless.
They were massacred...slaughtered.

Callen

Torn limb from limb, set ablaze, and yet
they kept fighting, each of them...

Callen

I was powerless. I could not even return
to join their final moments.

Callen

......

Finn

(It must have been horrible beyond
words. No wonder she's trembling.)

Finn

You said Knights...do you mean Rizette,
Nagi, and the others?

Callen

Ah, so there are Knights in your world
as well, then.

Finn

Yeah. We're all Knights together.

Callen

Then that must not have been easy to
hear. I apologize.

Finn

They gave their lives to save others...
It's kind of a relief to know, actually.

Callen

Yes. They fought always to protect the
weak, and were well-liked.

Callen

If the Pandraconium did not exist, they
could have lived normal lives...

Callen

It must be ended. I will end it,
with my own hands...

Finn

Is that this world's calamity is called?

Callen

Of course, you would not know. Yes, the
time when the dragons rise...

Callen

Every 300 years, they attempt to raze
this world to ash.

Callen

From times long past, we have called it
the Pandraconium.

Finn

And that's what those dragons are.

Callen

Yes. Rage-maddened, bloody beasts that
exist only to butcher the living.

Callen

Their scales are impervious to any and
all attack.

Finn

I noticed. It was like hitting a stone wall.

Callen

Thus, the mortal races have no means to
fight, and can only hide themselves.

Finn

But you don't run. You tried to help those
people, didn't you?

Callen

...As a means of atonement, I suppose.

Callen

...Not that that is all there is to it! It is
also vital to my research!

Callen

If I cannot observe them, my research
will never progress!

Callen

So I go to observe them, and I help others
only as a side effect!

Finn

(So she says, but she really is jumping
into danger to rescue people...)

Finn

Yeah, that part of you is just like the
Callen I know, too.

Callen

Did you say something?

Finn

No, uh... anyway.
Is that research why you look like that?

Callen

Ah...indeed. I apologize for this
loathsome appearance.

Finn

Not at all. You look a little different, but
you're still the Callen I know.

Callen

Hmph...you only say that because you
are not from this world.

Finn

You really do look different, though. I'm
honestly shocked.

Callen

How so?

Finn

The Callen from my world looks much
younger.

Callen

...Hm? And what is strange about that?

Callen

It suggests I was born very recently in
your world, I suppose.

Finn

No, it's just how she looks. She's a real
adult...or so she says.

Callen

...Wait. You mean to tell me she is over
a century old and still looks that young?

Finn

Something like that.

Callen

What! That is too much! Even for
another me, I cannot approve of that!

Finn

Oh, it wasn't on purpose, at least.

Finn

She told us an accident with her
research halted her aging.

Finn

She just really hates being called a child.

Callen

I see...an accident...
That I can sympathize with.

Callen

Mm...ah! I see.

Callen

We were likely born at the same time.
The difference between us is the accident.

Finn

I see. So if my Callen hadn't had the
accident, she would look like you do.

Callen

Most likely. Mm...I must admit, I do envy
her somewhat. Unchanging youth...

Finn

You're still plenty young yourself, right?
Even if you're over a century old?

Callen

Do not dare call me old!

Finn

I didn't!

Finn

(So even if she grew up a bit more, she's
still mentally the same as my Callen...)

Finn

(That's reassuring. I'm glad not everything
is different here, like last time.)

Finn

I'm glad you're like the Callen I know.

Callen

Hm? But you just said that we were
different.

Finn

I mean on the inside. There were some
pretty big changes in the last world.

Finn

(Marshal Ludmilla was very different in
Last Bastion than she was back home...)

Finn

(I'm glad Callen wasn't forced to become
as hard as she was.)

Callen

The last world? Then you have visited
other parallel worlds before this one?

Finn

Yeah, this is my second. In the last world,
the undead had mostly taken over.

Callen

The undead!? How horrifying.

Finn

The Resistance and I worked together and
managed to kill the undead god Orcanix.

Finn

It was really close, though...and it took
some sacrifices along the way.

Callen

...I see. Then you truly have saved a
world...

Callen

Perhaps there is still hope for this world
too, then.

Finn

Yeah. It was people's faith in a better
future that saved the last world.

Callen

Yes...yes, you are right!

Callen

Aah, somehow I feel re-energized!
Thank you, Finn.

Finn

(Even if this Callen looks older, her smile
is still just as bright as ever.)

Callen

That said, I am amazed you are shocked
not by my horns, but by my age...

Finn

Your horns? Are they that shocking?

Callen

Well, yes. You have seen firsthand what
dragons are like in this world.

Callen

...Most humans fear and hate me for what
my appearance represents to them.

Finn

So that's why your lab is hidden down
inside this well?

Callen

Well, among other reasons, yes.

Finn

(Doing research to save lives, even in
this situation... she really is Callen!)

...!!!

Finn

Did the dragons find us!?

Callen

Ah...no, I doubt it.
That was most likely...

Mysha

H-hiii!
Ow...

Callen

Mysha! You truly never learn!

Finn

Mysha?
Is that you?

Mysha

Yeah, that's me!
Wait, Finn!? What!?

Mysha

I-is it really...?
It is! It's really you...! Sniff...!

Mysha

Fiiiinnn...
Thank goodness...!

Finn

M-Mysha!?

Finn

(She just jumped at me! I've seen her do
this all the time with Astrid, but...)

Finn

M-Mysha, can you give me some space?

Mysha

No!

Finn

It's just, uh, I would really appreciate it...

Mysha

B-but I was so, SO worried!
Let me hug you!

Mysha

Finn... aww, Finn...!

Callen

Come now, you are troubling him. Flirt
somewhere other than my laboratory.

Mysha

Flirting?
We're not flirting.

Callen

...It is hard to believe that, given how
attached you are to him.

Mysha

Huh? Ah...!
N-no, that's not...!

Mysha

Sorry, I just...
I didn't think you'd survived, so...

Mysha

I was just so happy to see you again!

Callen

Indeed...

Callen

You should take more care to restrain
yourself, in my opinion.

Mysha

...Ah! Did you want to hug Finn too?

Callen

What!? Do not be ridiculous! I-I am not
a child, unlike you!

Mysha

But you wanted to, didn't you?

Callen

You...you absolute cannonball!

Mysha

Hehe. You goof!

Callen

Enough out of you!

Finn

So, Mysha, about letting me go...

Mysha

Oh, sorry!
I forgot.

Finn

Haha...

Finn

I see this Mysha is just as energetic as
ours, though.

Mysha

This Mysha? "Ours"?
What's all that about?

Mysha

......

Mysha

...You seem a bit different than I
remember. Are you sure you're Finn?

Callen

Your instincts are correct, Mysha. This
is not the Finn we know.

Mysha

Not the Finn we know?
What does that even mean?

Callen

Well, let me explain simply...

Callen

—So as you see, this Finn is from a
different, parallel world to ours.

Mysha

So he IS Finn, but he's NOT Finn.
I didn't know that was possible...

Mysha

...I guess that's what it has to be. I mean,
Finn covered for us, and he...

Mysha

...Haha. I knew there was no chance,
but...I just thought...

Finn

Mysha, I'm sorry.

Mysha

......

Mysha

...No, it's okay! I'm okay.

Mysha

I'm so sorry for jumping on you,
Different Parallel Finn!

Finn

It's okay. I was surprised, but the Mysha
from my world is just the same.

Mysha

Wow, so I exist in a parallel world?
That's so weird to think about.

Finn

So don't think of me as a stranger, okay?

Mysha

Thanks, Finn! You really are just as
kind as ever.

Mysha

But the Finn I loved is really gone,
isn't he...

Finn

O-oh! I, uh, I didn't realize we had that
kind of relationship in this world.

Mysha

Hm? What kind of relationship?

Mysha

I really looked up to you, and you were
a treasured friend of mine!

Finn

(Ah, so that's what she meant...)

Mysha

And not just you, either. I loved all the
Knights like members of my own family.

Mysha

They really were...my treasured friends.
But I couldn't save them.

Callen

......

Mysha

...But I'm glad the people they rescued
made it out okay.

Callen

Yes, that is true...

Mysha

Finn and the others bought us time to
escape, with their lives.

Callen

We did not ask them to, but it is thanks
to them that we live now.

Callen

We must move forward. We must end
the Pandraconium, for their sakes!

Mysha

Huh!? We can do that?

Callen

This Finn has defeated an unkillable
god, much like the dragons.

Mysha

A god!?
W-wow.

Callen

Which means that the dragons, too, are
not invincible!

Mysha

I see...so there's hope, after all!
That's amazing!

Callen

Indeed. We shall end this curse! My
research will finally bear fruit!

Callen

...I will finally be worthy of the trust Finn
placed in me that day...

Mysha

You really are amazing, Callen.
I'll have to work hard, too!

Callen

Well said. And, should you ever need my
help, feel free to come visit.

Callen

Even if you only wish to talk about your
worries, I will be here.

Mysha

I don't have any worries, but I'll still
come every day! You'd be lonely otherwise.

Callen

What! No, I would not!

Finn

Haha, you two sure seem close.

Mysha

Oh, right! I'm gonna go check out the
ruins of Nereia after this.

Mysha

You wanna come with me? I know you've
been worried about the folks there.

Callen

Nereia...
There is...no need anymore.

Mysha

No need? What does that mean?

Finn

Callen, was that...

Callen

Yes.

Mysha

Hey, c'mon, why do you two look so
upset?

Callen

Mysha, Nereia was attacked just a
few hours ago.

Mysha

What...

Mysha

B-but there were so many people left
there! How...

Callen

By the time I arrived, only Finn was left.
I was too late.

Mysha

You were there, too?
Are they all really...

Finn

I'm sorry, Mysha. If I'd fought harder, I
could have at least saved the children...

Mysha

......

Mysha

No, it's not your fault.
I don't think it's anyone's fault.

Callen

Perhaps...

Mysha

Callen, are you really, really sure you
won't come back to Base with me?

Mysha

It's a lot safer there than out here.
I can guarantee that!

Mysha

Do you really plan to stay out here all
alone, even after the Pandraconium?

Callen

...I am sorry, Mysha. But I am where I
belong, right here.

Callen

...Besides, I would not be able to face
the residents of Base.

Mysha

Why not? Shouldn't we tell everyone how
we can fight the dragons?

Callen

They will someday learn that I was
responsible for the Knights' deaths.

Callen

When that happens, they will hate me.
For good reason, but I...

Callen

......
...More importantly!

Callen

I am a researcher! What use would I be
outside of my laboratory?

Mysha

Callen...

Callen

I know. Perhaps you would be interested
in taking Finn back, in my place?

Callen

He needs time to acclimatize to our world,
and it will be safer to do that at Base.

Finn

Actually, yeah, what is this Base place?

Mysha

Oh, right, I forgot.

Callen

Its proper name is Geofront Base. It is
an ancient underground shelter of sorts.

Mysha

The Knights found it, and fixed it up
so everyone could live there.

Mysha

I helped out a lot too!

Finn

An underground shelter...does that mean
there are survivors there?

Mysha

Yeah! People who found their own way,
and folks the Knights brought in too.

Finn

(An underground shelter? I bet that's
harder for the dragons to find, yeah.)

Mysha

I'd like to bring you both back, but if she's
gonna be stubborn, I can't force her.

Mysha

But don't you do anything dangerous!
I'll be back to check on you every day!

Callen

Thank you, Mysha. You are the only one
who treats me like a normal person.

Finn

Are you sure you want to stay out here?

Callen

Yes. This laboratory is my castle.

Callen

Trust me, this facility has plenty of anti-
dragon measures. Do not worry for me.

Finn

If you say so, but...
Aren't you lonely out here?

Callen

Ah, not you too. Believe me when I say
I am fine by myself.

Finn

Okay, then.
Still, take care.

Callen

Of course, and you do the same,
Mr. Parallel Finn.

[Mission 11-1-5]

Finn

(We've been walking for a pretty long
time since leaving Callen's lab...)

Mysha

Are you okay, Finn?

Finn

Don't worry, I can handle it.
About how much farther is it?

Mysha

Hmm, we've come about halfway?
We'll be climbing up that valley in a bit.

Finn

Up the valley!?

Mysha

Yeah, it's a shortcut! You'd be surprised
how easy it is to just hop on up there.

Finn

Just hop on up, she says...
You really are just like our Mysha.

Mysha

Hehe. ♪
I guess I'm pretty fast in your world, too?

Finn

Definitely. You're the fastest one among
our Knights by a long shot.

Mysha

You don't say! So what's the other me
like? Is she all refined and fancy?

Finn

Hmm, she's bright and cheery...
About as bright as the sun, I'd say!

Mysha

The sun... wow, that's pretty bright,
parallel me!

Finn

That's not all, though. She's also kind and
considerate, and looks out for others.

Finn

Just like you, I'm sure, from what
Callen was saying.

Mysha

Ah... hmm, I wonder, haha.
I dunno about that.

Finn

You were trying so hard to get Callen to
evacuate to Base, after all.

Mysha

Yeah, but it's not what she wants.
I should respect her wishes.

Mysha

I'm sure she sees it as what's best for
everyone, in her own way.

Finn

I guess so.

Finn

(In the last world, and my own world,
everyone worked so hard to save people...)

Finn

(I'm sure it must be the same here.)

Finn

...Mysha?
Is there something on my face?

Mysha

Oh, sorry. No, I was just thinking.
You really are Finn, after all.

Finn

I'm myself, huh...

Finn

Yeah. If I didn't do everything I could, I
wouldn't be myself, after all.

Mysha

Yup. You even talk like he used to.

Finn

(The things I can do because of who I am.
That's what I've done, and I'll keep it up.)

Finn

Hey...how many people are left in this
world?

Mysha

Hard to say. Probably not many. I only
know the Base folks, and the Sky People.

Finn

Sky People?
What do you mean?

Mysha

Oh right, you wouldn't know. It'll be
easier just to show you. Come on, up here!

Mysha

Come on! We've got a ways to go, so let's
pick up the pace!

Finn

H-hey, Mysha!
Slow down, please...!

Finn

Finally...made it...!
So this is the summit...?

Mysha

There, see that?

Finn

Is that...a castle floating in the sky!?

Mysha

Callen calls it the Celestial Castle.

Finn

Celestial... I can see why.

Mysha

Yeah. I've heard it's been like that ever
since the world was created, even.

Finn

Since the world was created...

Finn

(It may only be a story, but looking at
that, I could believe it...)

Mysha

Pretty much everyone else down here
calls it the Ark, though.

Finn

The Ark...

Mysha

If you're really lucky, you get permission
to live up there as one of the Chosen Ones.

Mysha

And the rest of us are the not-chosen
ones.

Mysha

The folks up there don't get eaten by the
dragons, so they're like our last hope.

Finn

(Choosing who lives and dies...it sounds
like another mad god's at work here.)

Mysha

Anyway, that's the only really safe place.
And it's got lots of trees and stuff, too.

Finn

(They don't get eaten by the dragons...)

Finn

Can you tell me more about this Celestial
Castle?

Mysha

Sure, once we get back to Base. If we
hang around out here, we'll get spotted.

Finn

...Good point.
Let's hurry.

Mysha

Don't worry, it's all downhill from here!
Time for a super-express!

Finn

(...I'd better be careful not to get
completely left behind...)

Mysha

Okay, we made it!
We should be safe here.

Mysha

Uh, Finn?
Are you okay?

Finn

Huff...huff...
Y-yeah, I'm...fine...

Finn

(She's so fast! I almost lost sight of her
so many times...that was close!)

Finn

Um...so this is Base? Can people
really live in there?

Mysha

Base is further in! Apparently the people
of olden times built it.

Finn

So it's an ancient dragon shelter. But it's
not like you live here full-time, right?

Mysha

Yeah. I don't know why they abandoned
the place, but...

Mysha

Either way, my Gramps, who's a member
of the Knights, is running it now.

Mysha

Ah, I mean my adoptive grandpa.
I'll introduce you!

Finn

You mean Sir Gilgan, right?

Mysha

Ah, you know him!

Finn

Yeah, he's really helped us out a lot back
in my Erden.

Mysha

You don't say!
...Ah, speak of the devil! Graaamps!

Gilgan

Mysha! How many times must I tell you
not to wander about outside!?

Mysha

Sorry! But look!
I found Finn!

Finn

Um, hello, Sir Gilgan!

Gilgan

Finn!? Then you survived! We were told
you had perished.

Mysha

Oh, um, actually...this is Finn, but he's
not our Finn. He's a different Finn.

Gilgan

What? I'm afraid I do not follow.

Finn

Let me explain...

Gilgan

From another world, you say...
It seems so difficult to believe.

Gilgan

Then, may I still call you Finn?

Finn

Please do, sir. I may not be him, but
I'm still Finn, after all.

Gilgan

Then, Finn, let me ask...
What do you plan to do now?

Finn

(What I plan to do now...that's obvious.)

Finn

I want to stop the Pandraconium. I can't
just sit by and let people get eaten!

Gilgan

To end the Pandraconium, you say.
You truly are from another world.

Finn

Huh? What do you mean?

Gilgan

The Pandraconium cannot be ended by
mortal hands. It is a calamity.

Gilgan

Or, a natural disaster. You may as well
attempt to stop the rain from falling.

Mysha

Gramps! We don't know that.

Mysha

Besides, Finn says he's killed something
like the dragons before!

Gilgan

...Is that true?

Finn

Yes. My allies and I defeated an evil god
that was preying on our world!

Finn

I'm sure we can defeat the dragons the
same way.

Gilgan

And by defeating this evil god, you saved
the world? You brought true peace?

Finn

True peace...?

Finn

(When we defeated Arcane, Magnifo came.
Then, there was Orcanix's undead...)

Finn

(We had to keep on fighting. Every time a
battle ended, a new one began...)

Finn

(The tragedies just kept coming.)

Gilgan

From your face, I can see your answer.

Finn

But even so...do you really think the way
things are is the best it could be?

Gilgan

I think we should not take undue risks.
We will endure, until the dragons leave.

Finn

And what about the people who die
before that happens...?

Gilgan

It cannot be helped. We cannot risk many
lives to save only a few...

Finn

(Let a few die to save many. That may
be the rational, realistic choice, but...)

Mysha

That's ridiculous! Why just sit and wait
if we can end it all right now!?

Mysha

Doesn't that make so much more sense?

Finn

Mysha...

Gilgan

You are aware of what happened to those
who tried to make that a reality, yes?

Mysha

Well...

Gilgan

If that researcher had not told her lies
about a way to defeat the dragons...

Gilgan

...Do not lead people to do things they
will surely regret, Mysha. Please.

Mysha

......

Gilgan

Now then, Finn, who claims to come from
another world.

Gilgan

I will not pretend to understand your
story, but you are welcome here in Base.

Finn

Thank you, sir...

Gilgan

However, I must ask you to make me
two promises.

Finn

Two promises?

Gilgan

There are many here who still believe the
Knights survived their final charge.

Gilgan

If the truth were to be known, it could be
devastating for those without much hope.

Finn

(They're holding on to whatever hope
they can in these dark times, after all...)

Finn

So you'd like me to be the Finn from this
world, I'm guessing?

Gilgan

Yes. And...there are people still outside.
I would ask you to bring them here.

Gilgan

We, the Knights, should do this, but we
are very few now...can I ask this of you?

Finn

...Of course, sir.
I promise.

Gilgan

Thank you.

Mysha

...Let's get inside.
It'll be nighttime soon.

Gilgan

Indeed. Then, we shall speak at more
length inside.

Gilgan

No place is truly safe here...but I hope
you will be able to rest for a time.